What An Unexpected Delight!

Rating: 10/10 (18 May 2009)

I have to confess that I had never heard of this film until I caught it on Sky one rainy afternoon and I was immediately captivated by it. It's very offbeat and kind of theatrical, but Tim Roth is superb in the lead role and I just thought it was a brilliant concept, beautifully executed. If it reminds me of any other film, I suppose it's Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon A Time In America' - it has a similar lush feel and the soundtrack is perhaps occasionally reminiscent of the work of Ennio Morricone - but it's certainly no slavish copy, it has a magical quality all its own. It looks as though quite a lot of money was spent on this project and I feel it's a great shame that it hasn't reached the wider audience it so obviously deserves. I'd warmly recommend this film to anybody who feels like being captivated for an hour or so. But be warned - you'll need your hanky for the end!
Philip Caveney